northern england, northern into northern england, northern ireland and southern scotland, another sunshine and showers day, the hail and thunder might be here as well. it'll start to feel quite chilly on thursday, and that chilly feel will try to assert itself across north—eastern areas into friday. this northerly wind by trying to develop, feeding more cloud in across scotland and the eastern side of england during friday. fourwestern eastern side of england during friday. four western parts of england, wales and northern ireland, we hold on to the sunshine but the showers get going once again. notice where you are exposed to the northerly breeze, it'll feel chilly, ten in aberdeen, ii in newcastle. into the weekend, this band of rain works its way friday into saturday and low pressure re—establishes itself and what that means is a continuation of the sunshine and showers theme. some of the showers heavy with some hail and thunder

mixed in stock they be well scattered and there will be places that avoid the showers and stay dry but others will see plenty of drenching downpours. no great shakes on the face of it on the temperatures, the sun is strong so if you get decent spells of sunshine, it should feel warm but the outlook is a mixed one through the outlook is a mixed one through the next few days. a reminder of our top story... the un warns of the fears of all—out war as israel's military continues to attack gaza and palestinian militants fire rockets into israel. that's all from the bbc news at so it's goodbye from me and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.

hello, and welcome to sportsday. i'm chetan pathak. coming up on tonight's programme — football's finest sing the praises of pep guardiola and manchester city

as they secure their third premier league title in four years. casey stoney has made a huge impact as head coach of manchester united women. we ask why she's decided to leave. as andy murray returns to clay, we'll tell you what the tournament director of the french open believes his chances of getting a wild card are. and also on the programme before 7pm — and the reason why former world champion tony bellew is calling for social media companies to do more to tackle online abuse. i put on iput ona i put on a picture and the hate and the things it received, i would not be able to say the things on it camber that i was getting written to me on social media.

hello, and welcome to sportsday. i'm chetan pathak. welcome along, thanks forjoining us on a day where football's biggest names have been praising pep guardiola and manchester city following their fifth league title in nine years. they finished 18 points behind liverpool last year and didn't start this season well either. but as paddy geary reports, guardiola was able to fix the problem and the biggest prize of all for them may still be to come. so often these days city end up here but rarely has the client to the top of the mountain taken such a interesting route. this time there is a story behind it. november by britain in the second lock now and city had just lost to tottenham. spurs were top and city were 13th. i had the feeling that we are playing bad but we are not playing that we are. but the reality is we struggle to score goals at the moment. he is

calm came — to score goals at the moment. he is calm came from _ to score goals at the moment. he is calm came from faith _ to score goals at the moment. he is calm came from faith in _ to score goals at the moment. he is calm came from faith in his - to score goals at the moment. he is calm came from faith in his side. . calm came from faith in his side. the goal should not initially flow, the defence was solid and they started on a run that began as a purposeful stride and by january it was a full sprint.— was a full sprint. taken nicely and that is wonderful! _ was a full sprint. taken nicely and that is wonderful! they _ was a full sprint. taken nicely and that is wonderful! they won - was a full sprint. taken nicely and that is wonderful! they won all. was a full sprint. taken nicely and i that is wonderful! they won all nine matches in all— that is wonderful! they won all nine matches in all competitions - that is wonderful! they won all nine matches in all competitions that - matches in all competitions that month, on president and in england since the football league was founded. their winning run stretch to 21 matches before it was ended. covid—i9 has made this ease in a bloodless assault course and city crossed a line when no one else in shot. w , ., crossed a line when no one else in shot. , ., ., , shot. their skills to potentially come back _ shot. their skills to potentially come back when _ shot. their skills to potentially come back when the _ shot. their skills to potentially come back when the title - shot. their skills to potentially come back when the title this | shot. their skills to potentially - come back when the title this year against _ come back when the title this year against all— come back when the title this year against all the _ come back when the title this year against all the audit _ come back when the title this year against all the audit report - come back when the title this yearj against all the audit report against him against all the audit report against nim eariier— against all the audit report against nim earlier in— against all the audit report against him earlier in the _ against all the audit report against him earlier in the season - against all the audit report against him earlier in the season with - him earlier in the season with circumstances _ him earlier in the season with circumstances and _ him earlier in the season with circumstances and the - him earlier in the season with i circumstances and the pandemic him earlier in the season with - circumstances and the pandemic and things— circumstances and the pandemic and things like _ circumstances and the pandemic and things like that, _ circumstances and the pandemic and things like that, you _ circumstances and the pandemic and things like that, you bleak— circumstances and the pandemic and things like that, you bleak and - circumstances and the pandemic and things like that, you bleak and theyl things like that, you bleak and they are playing — things like that, you bleak and they are playing again— things like that, you bleak and they are playing again and _ things like that, you bleak and they are playing again and blink- things like that, you bleak and they are playing again and blink they. things like that, you bleak and they are playing again and blink they are playing _ are playing again and blink they are playing again — are playing again and blink they are playing again and _ are playing again and blink they are playing again and did _ are playing again and blink they are playing again and did it _ are playing again and blink they are playing again and did it for- are playing again and blink they are playing again and did it for eight. playing again and did it for eight months — playing again and did it for eight months continuously. _ playing again and did it for eight months continuously. i- playing again and did it for eight months continuously. i think- playing again and did it for eight months continuously. i think tol playing again and did it for eight - months continuously. i think to have a little _ months continuously. i think to have a little performance _ months continuously. i think to have a little performance which _ months continuously. i think to have a little performance which they- months continuously. i think to have a little performance which they have j a little performance which they have especially _ a little performance which they have especially at — a little performance which they have especially at the _ a little performance which they have especially at the time _ a little performance which they have especially at the time of _ a little performance which they have especially at the time of year - a little performance which they have especially at the time of year when i especially at the time of year when they won _ especially at the time of year when they won 27— especially at the time of year when they won 27 games _ especially at the time of year when they won 27 games in _ especially at the time of year when they won 27 games in a _ especially at the time of year when they won 27 games in a row. - especially at the time of year when they won 27 games in a row. that i especially at the time of year when i they won 27 games in a row. that was speciai _ they won 27 games in a row. that was secial. . , , ,

they won 27 games in a row. that was secial. ., , , , ., ., special. perhaps when they want to is tellin: . special. perhaps when they want to is telling. nearest _ special. perhaps when they want to is telling. nearest rivals _ special. perhaps when they want to is telling. nearest rivals man - is telling. nearest rivals man united losing to leicester city. city's challengers all either wobbled or fell off the ladder completely. liverpool 50 states he points clear last season are currently 23 points below. watching up currently 23 points below. watching up admiring. it’s currently 23 points below. watching up admiring-— up admiring. it's always a 'oy to -la up admiring. it's always a 'oy to play against fl up admiring. it's always a 'oy to play against them i up admiring. it's always a joy to play against them because - up admiring. it's always a joy to play against them because it's i up admiring. it's always a joy to i play against them because it'sjust play against them because it's just a massive challenge for me football point of view. they can be beaten but you have to be at the top to do so. has but you have to be at the top to do so. �* , , , but you have to be at the top to do so, �* , , , , , but you have to be at the top to do so. ~ , , , , , , so. as befits these times, city facet from _ so. as befits these times, city facet from a — so. as befits these times, city facet from a distance. - so. as befits these times, city facet from a distance. they'vej facet from a distance. they've experienced a distance. they have experienced a distance. they have experienced this triumph almost entirely remotely. but much of the last decade must seem quite surreal to them. once these fans were known for expecting the worst. now they can rely on the best.— for expecting the worst. now they can rely on the best. what he is not as unlivable- _ can rely on the best. what he is not as unlivable. he _ can rely on the best. what he is not as unlivable. he is _ can rely on the best. what he is not as unlivable. he is the _ can rely on the best. what he is not as unlivable. he is the greatest - as unlivable. he is the greatest ntanager— as unlivable. he is the greatest manager i_ as unlivable. he is the greatest manager i think in the world. he is 'ust a manager i think in the world. he is just a genius _ manager i think in the world. he is just a genius. come _ manager i think in the world. he is just a genius. come back- manager i think in the world. he is just a genius. come back after last season— just a genius. come back after last season is— just a genius. come back after last season is really— just a genius. come back after last season is really what _ just a genius. come back after last season is really what it's _ just a genius. come back after last season is really what it's all- season is really what it's all about _ season is really what it's all about. ~ ., ~ ., , about. wonderful. another trophy in about. wonderful. another trophy in

a dream come _ about. wonderful. another trophy in a dream come true _ about. wonderful. another trophy in a dream come true for _ about. wonderful. another trophy in a dream come true for me. - about. wonderful. another trophy in a dream come true for me. over- about. wonderful. another trophy in| a dream come true for me. over and over again. a dream come true for me. over and overagain. one a dream come true for me. over and over again. one day i will wake up. city have already won the efl cup as well and would be on for a quadruple were it not for chelsea beating them in the fa cup final.... fa —— chelsea block there climb to the gym easily as well and they have one thing to reach. spanishjournalist dm spanish journalist dm joins us and talks in the past about pep guardiola reaching a crossroads in his final year. what did he learn from that experience that helped him transform this season at city? he: learned basically that you had to recycle the sport instead ofjust going away and look for another challenge. that if he had not done yet and he had to recycle the sport in recent times. he may have to do it again and what he has come up

with in my eyes is the biggest team—building of his career. because of the context of it. the pandemic, the injuries to his stryker, they were new questions for managers all over the world really they had to be answered more right than wrong because of the demands on the calendar and the fact that they had players and managers changing routines. all that required a level of intensity and energy individually is to see the edgier before the other teams did not have. he has managed to answer all that rightly and reach the end of the season with almost everything to win. we and reach the end of the season with almost everything to win.— almost everything to win. we saw -la ers almost everything to win. we saw players like _ almost everything to win. we saw players like ruben _ almost everything to win. we saw players like ruben dias _ almost everything to win. we saw players like ruben dias come - almost everything to win. we saw players like ruben dias come in l almost everything to win. we saw. players like ruben dias come in but it was a transformation in his approach as well, overhauling his methods. an approach as well, overhauling his methods. �* ., , methods. an the hardest thing when ou're at methods. an the hardest thing when you're at the — methods. an the hardest thing when you're at the too _ methods. an the hardest thing when you're at the top and _ methods. an the hardest thing when you're at the top and then _ methods. an the hardest thing when you're at the top and then you - you're at the top and then you realise by mid december that one more draw against west brom, you are thinking something is not happening

here, there is no spark and they are not enjoying themselves and stopping and swung himself a people he trusts and swung himself a people he trusts and saying what is it that is not happening? and then answers came up. perhaps we have to change certain approaches. he listened and did exactly that. he has the midfielders to get into the box and more passes and forceful in the game down to get themselves and be like the city of two years back. that is not easy to get that kind of analysis and then reach a conclusion that he was taken the wrong path. after that, it was all victories and yet again he managed to find a solution to the problems put on by football. you know him and — problems put on by football. you know him and know he does not stand still. he will demand more. what changes do we expect from city going forward do you think? i changes do we expect from city going forward do you think?— forward do you think? i think a bit of personnel _ forward do you think? i think a bit of personnel. left _ forward do you think? i think a bit of personnel. left by _ forward do you think? i think a bit of personnel. left by the - forward do you think? i think a bit i of personnel. left by the champions league final first and then after that reenergizing the side. but of course the pandemic has meant the market is different to what it maybe

was in october or november when i began thinking we have to change may began thinking we have to change may be a third of the squad now. some players have surprised like cancelo, like john players have surprised like cancelo, likejohn stones. so others may have to step up from the end of the season but in any case in any squad and even especially when he once you have to make changes. that another thing that perhaps he did not feel like doing at barcelona but certainly he is willing to do now. just in one word for time, one day do you expect him back at barcelona? so much as been said about that? hat so much as been said about that? not a one so much as been said about that? iifrit a one word! is impossible! some hope that he will. in what capacity can but we don't know, maybe president but we don't know, maybe president but i don't think so.— but i don't think so. thank you so much forjoining _ but i don't think so. thank you so much forjoining us _ but i don't think so. thank you so much forjoining us on _ but i don't think so. thank you so much forjoining us on the - but i don't think so. thank you so - much forjoining us on the programme tonight. much for 'oining us on the programme toniaht. . ~ much for 'oining us on the programme toniaht. ., ~ i. manchester city's champions league opponents chelsea are in premier league action

tonight against arsenal. thomas tuchel�*s side can get closer to securing a top four finish with a win, but have the fa cup final against leicester on saturday. our football correspondent ian dennis is at stamford bridge ahead of kick—off. this he needs to be very interesting in regards _ this he needs to be very interesting in regards to tonight. they have the cup final— in regards to tonight. they have the cup final at— in regards to tonight. they have the cup final at the weekend and emit a number— cup final at the weekend and emit a numberof— cup final at the weekend and emit a number of changes against city and had a _ number of changes against city and had a very— number of changes against city and had a very impressive victory at the ed had _ had a very impressive victory at the ed had so— had a very impressive victory at the ed had so i— had a very impressive victory at the ed had. so i would imagine there will he _ ed had. so i would imagine there will he a — ed had. so i would imagine there will be a degree of rotation gained this evening. as you quite rightly point _ this evening. as you quite rightly point out, — this evening. as you quite rightly point out, three points will all but secure _ point out, three points will all but secure a _ point out, three points will all but secure a place in the top four to qualify— secure a place in the top four to qualify for— secure a place in the top four to qualify for the champions league for next season. they could win the champions _ next season. they could win the champions league still but they would _ champions league still but they would not want to rest on qualification by having to beat city again _ qualification by having to beat city again so — qualification by having to beat city again. so some of they will want a top four— again. so some of they will want a top four finish.— again. so some of they will want a top four finish. what do you make of the contrasting _ top four finish. what do you make of the contrasting seasons _ top four finish. what do you make of the contrasting seasons they - top four finish. what do you make of the contrasting seasons they have i the contrasting seasons they have had with matt they met in the fa cup final as is and which arsenal one. looking at things now, chelsea are in a league of their own here, are

they not? in a league of their own here, are the not? , ., , ., ., , they not? they are. they have really kicked on and _ they not? they are. they have really kicked on and they _ they not? they are. they have really kicked on and they had _ they not? they are. they have really kicked on and they had a _ they not? they are. they have really kicked on and they had a change - they not? they are. they have really kicked on and they had a change of l kicked on and they had a change of manager— kicked on and they had a change of manager and i don't think anybody could _ manager and i don't think anybody could have — manager and i don't think anybody could have envisaged what thomas tuchel— could have envisaged what thomas tuchel would bring to the club. the event _ tuchel would bring to the club. the event of _ tuchel would bring to the club. the event of clean sheets they have achieved — event of clean sheets they have achieved under his reign. obviously achieved under his reign. obviously a place _ achieved under his reign. obviously a place in _ achieved under his reign. obviously a place in the gym easily final and a place in the gym easily final and a place _ a place in the gym easily final and a place in — a place in the gym easily final and a place in the gym easily final and a place in the fa cup final and looking — a place in the fa cup final and looking very good for a top four finish — looking very good fora top four finish so— looking very good for a top four finish. so no wonder that today there _ finish. so no wonder that today there is— finish. so no wonder that today there is talk of a new two—year contract — there is talk of a new two—year contract for thomas tuchel with the option— contract for thomas tuchel with the option to _ contract for thomas tuchel with the option to maybe extending that for a third _ option to maybe extending that for a third in— option to maybe extending that for a third. in contrast, arsenal seems to be a third. in contrast, arsenal seems to he a club _ third. in contrast, arsenal seems to be a club that has gone backwards after that— be a club that has gone backwards after that success last year. and i cannot _ after that success last year. and i cannot see — after that success last year. and i cannot see arsenal really competing in europe _ cannot see arsenal really competing in europe next season will so consider— in europe next season will so consider this year was a 25th consecutive campaign in european competition and that really would be a setback— competition and that really would be a setback for arsenal football club so it's— a setback for arsenal football club so it's a _ a setback for arsenal football club so it's a major rebuild that will have _ so it's a major rebuild that will have to — so it's a major rebuild that will have to take place as far as they are concerned. he have to take place as far as they are concerned.— have to take place as far as they are concerned. ., , , all 12 teams are playing in the scottish premiership tonight. it's the penultimate round of games, with rangers looking to remain

unbeaten for the whole season. dundee united art to have a zero up at home to motherwell. goalless at livingston where rangers are trying to go unbeaten. all eyes on the battle for survival. all eyes on the battle for survival as the bottom side hamilton take on ross county, who are just three points ahead of them. second from bottom kilmarnock take on st mirren. tonight also sees the championship play—off semifinal first leg between raith rovers and dundee. we've heard this afternoon that casey stoney will be stepping down as women's head coach at manchester united at the end of the season. let's get more from our sports correspondent katie gornall. katie, she's had a real impact at united since the summer of 2018, hasn't she? she really has had a huge impact. they built this team from scratch with her as they only reform the 20 18th a few but the squad and face the race of its time to do so for

the race of its time to do so for the first season in thatjimmy ship and she had an immediate impact. she won promotion to the top—flight in herfirst season and won promotion to the top—flight in her first season and then back to back top four finishes in the wsf was also recruited brilliantly in the transfer window, bringing world—class talent to the club in the form of tobin heath and christen press from the usa. in developing young talent in the likes of lauren james as well who is an exceptional player. so also this season there's been talk of a title as well. they began credibly well. top of the table in january and began credibly well. top of the table injanuary and then just began credibly well. top of the table in january and then just fell away a bit due to injury and finish thisjust outside of away a bit due to injury and finish this just outside of the gym places. but even so she is had a phenomenal impact of the club and the players we very sorry to see her go. she is leaving a solid foundation for whoever takes over and her last match in the dugout will be this sunday with the fa cup game against leicester. h0 sunday with the fa cup game against leicester. ., , ., ., ., sunday with the fa cup game against leicester. ., ., ., . ., . , leicester. no shortage of chances for her looking _ leicester. no shortage of chances for her looking ahead. _ do we know why she's decided to leave?

ina in a statement released today to describe it is very tough and on to say that after a difficult season with disruption caused by the pandemic, i now feel the time is right to take some time away. but we know there has been going concern at united over the resources and over training pitch conditions with facilities. as well in recent months. so something casey stoney is spoken about and being asked about in press conferences. the squad have trained at three different venues since january. they currently have no permanent training base. there are also question about the future of some of their biggest players in country extensions for the likes of heath and france who i mentioned earlier and that has led to doubts about the club's long—term commitment to investing in women's team. i thought it was interest in today and the statement that was released there was also some words from the club reiterating their commitment and saying that they

intend to build